REVISED: 05 February 2019
3. The Invitation Letter
-;-
The light in the house was dim as Misao approached; her heart beating fast, nervousness is on her face as she thought about Shishio. She was afraid that he might hit her for her late arrival and lack of food on the dining table. Dropping the bundles of plants with the others by the side of the shed, she ran silently across the hallway and stopped at the front of shoji door.
On the other side of the door was the kitchen and inside she heard a sound of cleaning and few muffled voices. For a moment, she imagined Yumi cooking while Kamatari washing the pile of dishes with sweat dripping off their faces but the thought made her giggled and somehow, scared more than little.
She slowly slid the door and peeked in. Her blue eyes saw Yahiko stood beside the wooden washtub, wearing an apron. "Bloody hell, where is she? Shishio and the others will be here soon." said by a feminine voice from outside her field vision.
Yahiko turned his head at whoever it was and spotted Misao. "Well… She's home now." He said gratefully and dried his hands on his apron as she slid the door fully and stepped in.
"Megumi-san, Yahiko, what-" Misao's eyes went wide to see her two friends doing her responsibilities.
"We are so worried about you because you shall be home earlier! Those three were coming home sooner and you'll be dead." Megumi explained with a concern on her face.
"Yeah, I even brought Megumi-sensei here with me to cover you up and tell Shishio that you were sick. And Yutaro agreed to take the poultry by himself so I can do some work here." Yahiko added and gave her a wink.
"Oh… kiddo, you are… no one has ever done that for me." said Misao then threw her arms around his shoulders.
"Misao, I-can't-breathe…" He answered as she removed her arms on him. "Why did you take so long in the forest? And don't call me kid!"
"Hahahaha." She covered her mouth to hide her high-pitched laughter. "I… uh… I met Cho and his gang out there." She answered as she put her shoulders on her waist. She sighs.
"WHAT?!" Both Yahiko and Megumi gasped. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
"Uhm… almost but…" Misao paused looking at their faces and decided to let them know what happened to her next. "Someone had saved me and escorted me home."
"Really? Well who was it? Did you know him?" asked Megumi, curious…
"No, I have never met him before that afternoon." She said with a shrug. Telling them that she was saved by Aoshi will only make them question her; she decided not to tell about it.
"Did he kill them?" Yahiko asked, curiously.
"No, he didn't but his companion samurai did. He was a noble man anyway." she paused as she heard some footsteps across the hallway. She gasped and turned to her two friends who were scared too.
As the gentle pattering sound of footsteps doomed at their ears, Megumi immediately grabbed a blanket, covered it around Misao's body while Yahiko settled her by the fire, and whispered, "You were supposed to be ill."
Expectedly, the door slid open and Shishio stepped into the kitchen. His thick dark hair was pulled back into a tail at the nape of his neck and a sword was placed on his waist. His kimono was dark blue today and his hakama was dirty white in colour. He gave her an evil grin. Misao wished she could wipe that grin off his ugly face.
"Oh, Takani-sensei, Yahiko, what are you doing in my house?" Shishio said in an oiled voice, surprised to see another pair of cockroaches in his very eyes.
"Misao is terribly sick. She has terrible migraines lately and… fainted." Megumi answered calmly, trying to hide the lies in her voice. "And here, a messenger from the castle gave this to you."
"Is that so? Then I didn't regret the decision to get home early." Shishio grabbed the scroll as he raised his brows with a fake concerned in his face.
His massive figure walked and saw his servant warming herself by the fire. He went near to her and gave her a deadly glare. Misao looked up at him with a face she hoped to portray her false sickness.
"Oh, my poor little angel is sick." He said with a flare of false concern, touching her forehead with his huge hands. "You have to get well soon or I may hire Yahiko or Yutaro to do your work." He said clicking his tongue. "That would be a shame because you would be useless and I…" he paused and closed his face to her ears, "will do something you don't want by the way." He whispered.
The threat clears to Misao.
She nodded and turned to look into the flames - willing him to leave her alone. Stopping at the front of the door, Shishio turned to look back at her, "I hope to see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Misao" He sighs as he slid hardly the door behind him.
As his footsteps recede upstairs, Megumi comes to her side. "Is he always like that?" Misao only nodded and stood.
"Thank you… for all your help, it's my turn now, and I must finish this."
"No such thing, we will stay until we're done." Megumi answered. "I think I must let that idiot waits for me." She whispered.
"Huh?" Misao asked, clueless.
"It's Megumi's boyfriend. They're supposed to have their date…" Yahiko gave her a mocking grin. "… I mean appointment."
"Megumi-san, I didn't know you have a boyfriend." Misao squealed happily.
The doctor blushed and stomped her right feet on the floor peevishly. "SANOSUKE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND NOT UNTIL THE HELL FREEZES OVER!" she repressed the urge to hit the grinning kid behind and gave them a loud 'hmp' as she went back to the kettle with dramatic sighs.
Yahiko and Misao looked at each other and giggled. He walks back to the sink and continues washing the dishes giving her a last wink.
She takes the broom and begins to sweep the floor. Overall, the day went better than she had anticipated; even with encountering Cho and his gang, the run in with the crowned prince had made the day so much better. She sighed as the image of Aoshi and the dazzling blue eyes return to her mind but she shakes it away. It was a chance meeting that will never happen again! But even Shishio is being himself, it was okay because her friend had covered her back. Looking at them, she smiles and feel blessed.
'Well, at least there are people in the world who still care for me.', Misao said in her mind.
Late that night, when her chores were all done and the moon was brightly shining, Yahiko and Megumi had gone home. Misao sat and looked out the small window as her eyes stared at the distant Japanese castle. It was already dim with the candle lights and she wonders if he had already been asleep.
Leaning on the window frame, she could not help but think of Aoshi and his good deeds of the day. All for a servant girl like her. "He may forget, but I will never forget today." She announced to herself and with a sighed, she turned into bed.
-;-
Aoshi left his bedroom early. A walk alone in the morning made him calm and happy. As he passed by the dry garden where all different flowers bloomed, Aoshi smiled. He was glad that he had not heard any news of rebels killing the villagers last night.
Suddenly, it came a memory of indigo eyes and a cute smile. Shaking the image away, he quickens his pace and not wanting to be late for the family breakfast that his mother especially arranged.
The main dining room was a large and elaborate room where dragons and flowers painted nicely on the wall. From the window, the garden can be clearly seen outside. The entire dining area was quite sparkling from the early ray of sunlight making a stark impression.
Hiko sat at the head of the table, relief seen on his face as he saw Aoshi made his entrance. Okon at his left smiled at him, "Aoshi-kun, I'm so happy that you joined us." She said. "I'm sure that you already met Kaoru-chan but I wanted to introduce you our new friend, Sagara Sanosuke. Sanosuke, this is Aoshi."
Sanosuke greeted Aoshi but he ignored him as he sat on the tatami mat and grabbed some rice balls.
"He'll be the new head of our guards from this time and speaking of guards, where is Soujiro?" Okon asked but expectedly, Aoshi only gave him his usual 'Aa' as an answer.
"What was his problem?" Sanosuke whispered to Kenshin.
"Ignore him, it's his usual behaviour." The red-haired boy answered in a low voice.
"Ahem." Hiko made few chuckles. "Today's breakfast is to welcome Sanosuke and about the festival that will begin next month." Hiko stated as he took a bite of sushi and drank sake. "And we wanted you Aoshi to be the main person in this event so you can choose a woman you would fancy."
Aoshi almost chokes when he heard the word 'woman'. He groaned inwardly as he listened to Kaoru's stupid plans with painful details such as colour schemes and what theme each ball must be. He couldn't even stand to be with many people around unless it was a war he was dealing with… but a dance? – With many women who will chase him like a lost puppy, hoping to attract his attention?
"Pardon?" he spoke loudly making Kaoru's wonderful plans about the party paused, the entire people in the room stare at him, disbelief shown on their faces.
"Don't you want that plan, Aoshi?" Hiko asked. "YOU NEED TO AGREE WITH US!" He added angrily.
"When I find one that is interesting, I will let you know." he said with a sigh, willing to leave the destructed wonderful breakfast. He turned to the window as his father began the long explanation of why he should marry which only irritates him further.
"As my only heir now, you are obligated to marry and produce an heir in return. I will force you to wed Emi if you will not agree… because you know that would mean a good vow I had in the friendship with his late father!" Hiko exclaimed.
Aoshi sighed and shook his head. He does not fancy Emi to be his wife. Not that she was not a fine woman, in fact, she was a noble woman. However, she was sick and he doubts that she only had a few years to live.
"Are you even listening to me?" Hiko demanded as he slammed his fist on the table, making the family does not have the appetite to eat anymore. In truth, the Emperor knew that his son was not listening that made his patience snapped.
"Well, do you agree?" Kaoru finally asked with a hopeful look on her face. "Maybe a woman you will dance is better than Emi, right? And we already sent an announcement yesterday."
This time, Aoshi was now angry. How could he decline them when every person in Kyoto were expecting this kind of event? It would be a shame not to make that announcement real.
With a deep voice, he answered, "Have it on your own way."
Both girls clapped their hands with joy.
Kaoru mumbled her detailed plans that made him groan inwardly at the thought of three parties each month. The discussion made Sanosuke laughed, making both women glare at him, "Well we cannot expect Aoshi-sama to fall in love in one evening!" Kaoru commented.
"Besides Kyoto needs this kind of revelry so we can celebrate the death of the rebels and think of the income it will give to the city and the countryside, every inn will be booked and every shop will be swamped with orders!" Okon exclaimed, smiling to Kenshin and Sano who was trying without much success not to laugh.
Aoshi wished he had another table to slam his face repeatedly. He looked with pleading eyes to Hiko who only shook his head at him.
"And by the way, about the invitations yesterday, it doesn't say when the parties will be exactly but I just gave them a warning!" Kaoru exclaimed. "It's only May and this will be a summer affair!"
That irritates him further. He could not stand to hear the idea anymore. He made his cue to leave and turned to his father, "I apologise but there are some things Soujiro and I must work on."
Hiko nodded on his approval.
After Aoshi leaves, all of them laugh, imagining the poor ice block dancing with many girls under the glowing lights of the night sky.
"Kaoru-dono, maybe we should lessen the amount of balls? Give Aoshi to breathe in between them you know?" Kenshin asked sweetly as he can.
Kaoru pouts but does not nod. "Let me think about it but for now, I shall plan our wedding with Okon-sama!" She said and gave him a quick kiss on his lips. "See you later tonight!"
"Ahem." Hiko chuckled and put an arm around Kenshin and Sanosuke, "I must spread the word of Sano's leadership while you two should plan and organise. See you later ladies!" He happily said.
"Yes, Hiko-sama!" Kaoru said in return.
"Don't call us like that, Kaoru, dear. Call me Hiko, perhaps father."
And with that, they leave the girls behind.
-;-
"MISAO!" yelled Yumi from the front door, her voice strained and clearly out of breath. "MISAO GET YOUR SMALL BUTT HERE NOW!" she yelled again as Misao slid the door open from the kitchen.
Yumi stood near the door, her arms loaded with several packages and boxes. "Hurry, get over here and help me bring these to Kamatari's room." Giving the packages in Misao's arms, Yumi dashes in the hallway with a piece of paper in hand, waving excitedly. "SHISHIO, KAMATARI!" she yells repeatedly as she runs.
With much less speed, Misao follows her up, trying not to lose a parcel as she reaches the front of her former room. She pauses and inside, she heard the two women laughing and Shishio is speaking. "Well, well, so the prince was seeking for a wife! This is a wonderful opportunity and indeed Kamatari is available! And we must now plan carefully."
"Well, that would not be a problem to me because we all know that I'm lovelier than this one." Kamatari pointed out Yumi and laughed at her own joke.
"Excuse me dear sister but I'm the one who captured the interest of Shishio-sama, not you!" Yumi answered and gave Shishio a quick kiss.
As Misao listened, she wonders if Kamatari and Yumi compete for that cruel man before. Whatever it is, Misao shook her head that those two deserves an ugly man like Shishio. She also wonders if it is Aoshi or his adopted brother who is seeking for a bride. But she was sure that she heard Kenshin was already engaged to someone.
"Misao!" Kamatari yelled as she slid the door fully opened. "You are a real swine, lazy little girl. Get those in here and make us some tea!"
Misao nods and immediately prepare the task as their voices drifted on the hall after her.
"It looks like the amount of these parties is yet to be decided but it will have to be more than two, I'm very sure of it so I hurried this morning to the shops to buy some fabric they had before all the desperate women purchased it all." Yumi said with a triumph on her voice.
"That's very well prepared Yumi but we need to make those into fine kimonos and that will take more time and money." Kamatari answered.
"And what else Misao was good anyway? She could do it!" Yumi said. "Make her wash first, she's always dirty."
'Oh great', Misao thought. 'Now I will have to sew those dresses too.'
"I will take care of the tailor's bill and other expenses. We just need to stay ahead of every other woman who is available for marriage. We must leave now and plan on these things… MISAO!" he yelled making her dash and run back to the hall.
Shishio and the two women stood in the hall, a look of excitement on their faces. "Misao, we will be out until late so make sure that the supper is prepared for our return. Do the laundry and make sure all the chores are done." Misao nodded but he continued, "Also make yourself clean and organised the fabric Yumi purchased."
And they left as Kamatari slid the shoji door closed.
Misao shook her head at the thought of hunting a royalty as if it was some kind of a game. She walked in the entire house, enjoying their absence, missing his grandfather and that thought made some tears fell from her eyes. She shook her head and smiled. She needs to be strong.
Soon, she had a pile of laundry in hand as well as a stack of previous dishes when a piece of paper on the floor caught her attention. The Emperor announces that the crowned prince, Shinomori Aoshi seeks a bride at a series of upcoming parties. Everyone was invited specially the single women, to meet the crowned prince in person as well as spend the evening with his company – dancing with him. His choice will be announced after the series of balls and will be declared as the mother of his future heir and become the Queen, God save the King.
Misao laughed at the words and shook her head again. Poor Aoshi-sama, she was sure that this was not his idea. She could imagine him standing in the centre of crowded people, willing the time to pass away. A looked of extreme boredom on his face as hundreds of women pushed and shoved for the chance to charm the stoic prince into loving them.
The rest of the afternoon, Misao spent laughing at how the news was ridiculous while a small part of her would pause to look in the mirror and wonder what it is to be like dressed in a beautiful kimono and dance with the ice blue eyes prince.
End of Chapter